22 Soups To Melt Away Your Winter Blues

Nothing is better than a bowl of soup on a chilly winter day, and these recipes are some of my favorites.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published January 04, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Lasagna Soup in a Bowl With Noodles, Sausage, Ricotta, and Fresh Basil, and in the Surroundings, Another Bowl With Crushed Red Peppers, a Saucer With Basil Leaves, and a Blue and White Checkered Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Depending on where you live, "soup season" (aka winter) may be long or short. Either way, these 22 recipes are our ideal partner on a chilly day, when the winter blues have long been settled in and we need a hot little pick me up. From creamy soups to blended ones, brothy to beany, find your next favorite winter soup recipe right here.

Don't forget to read the helpful tips and tricks from our editors, contributors, and readers, and make sure to bookmark any recipes that speak to you—you never know when a cozy bowl of soup is the only thing that'll take the edge off.

  • 4-Ingredient Spinach White Bean Soup

    Angled view of a white bowl of white bean and spinach soup with a spoon next to a plate of bread and bowl of lemon slices

    Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman

    "I like to wait until the very end to add any salt to this soup, as canned beans and store-bought broth can be plenty salty. I usually add about a quarter teaspoon of fine sea salt." —Alexandra Shytsman, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Lasagna Soup

    Lasagna Soup in a Bowl With Noodles, Sausage, Ricotta, and Fresh Basil, and in the Surroundings, Another Bowl With Crushed Red Peppers, a Saucer With Basil Leaves, and a Blue and White Checkered Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "If you’ve ever enjoyed a soup that’s been simmered with a Parmesan rind, you know the savory depth of flavor it can bring. If you’ve got a rind in your refrigerator―or perhaps you’ll obtain one once you grate the Parmesan for this recipe―go ahead and toss it in the pot in Step 4. Just remember to discard it before serving." —Kathy Strahs, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Lentil Soup)

    Bowls of Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Lentil Soup) Topped with Greek Yogurt, Croutons, Pul Bibir Butter, and Parsley, and Next to It, a Small Bowl of Parsley, Slices of Bread, and Two Spoons

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Make sure you are buying tatli biber salçasi, a sweet pepper paste, and not the spicy version, aci biber salçasi. You can substitute tomato paste if needed." —Mersedeh Prewer, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Italian Meatball Soup

    Overhead view of a two bowls of Italian meatball soup next to two spoons, a plate of bread and small bowl of parsley

    Simply Recipes/ Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek 

    "To minimize cleanup and add flavor, cook the meatballs directly in the pot before making the rest of the soup. I like to do this in two batches. I cook them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a "crust," transfer them to a plate, then proceed with the recipe, adding them back in when I add the liquids." —Kris Osborne, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 5 of 22 below

  • Creamy Vegetable Dumpling Soup

    Bowl of creamy vegetable dumpling soup, and in surroundings, two spoons on the counter, another serving in a bowl, a small bowl of crushed peppers, a bowl of shredded parmesan, and a grey and black kitchen linen

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Switch up the dried spices and incorporate dried rosemary, sage, and Italian seasonings instead of (or in addition to) the dried thyme and oregano in the recipe." —Julie and Amy Luxemberg, Simply Recipes Contributors

  • Swamp Soup

    Bowls of swamp soup at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of crackers, and a utensils

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Kielbasa gives this soup great flavor. Any non-smoked sausage works too. Just know that it won’t infuse the soup with quite as much flavor as a smoked sausage." —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Senior Editor

  • 4-Ingredient Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    Angled view of a white bowl of cauliflower soup next to a small bowl of paprika oil, a blue striped napkin and two clear drinking glasses

    Simply Recipes / Jazzmin Kaita 

    "I love frozen vegetables for their ease, but they don’t belong in this soup. Frozen cauliflower exudes a lot of water during roasting, which prevents it from browning." —Megan Scott, Simply Recipes Senior Editor

  • Creamy White Lasagna Soup

    White chicken lasagna soup served in two bowls at a table setting with the spoons, napkins, and the rest of the soup in a dutch oven

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Feel free to swap the lasagna noodles for any other shaped pasta, particularly those that have plenty of nooks and crannies for the creamy broth like rotini or farfalle." —Emma Christensen, Simply Recipes General Manager

    Continue to 9 of 22 below

  • 5-Minute Sausage White Bean Soup

    A white bowl with a soup filled with kale, white bean and sausage

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "I always serve this soup with some kind of toasted, sliced bread for dipping in the flavorful broth. I love sourdough, but a baguette or even a soft roll would be fantastic." —Sara Haas, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Easy Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)

    large pot of Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup) with a bowl of the soup next to it

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "Some smoked sausages, like Spanish chorizo, have relatively high-fat content. When you cook it, plenty of that fat will come out. If you end up with more than 3 to 4 tablespoons in your pot, remove a tablespoon or two before proceeding with the rest of the recipe." —Sara

  • Cabbage and Potato Soup

    4-Ingredient Cabbage and Potato Soup in a large pot with a ladel

    Simply Recipes / Stephanie Ganz

    "When I’m craving extra protein, I’ll add some shredded chicken or canned white beans. My favorite way to enjoy this soup is actually for breakfast, with a fried or poached egg on top and a big hunk of crusty bread for dipping. It’s a lovely way to wake up on a chilly morning." —Stephanie A. Ganz. Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Hungarian Mushroom Soup

    A bowl with Hungarian mushroom soup, topped with sour cream, fresh dill, and smoked paprika

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "For this recipe, you’ll want to seek out and use Hungarian sweet paprika, sometimes also labeled noble sweet paprika. The color of this paprika is bright red and it tastes a little fruity, sweet, and mild." —Devan Grimsrud, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 13 of 22 below

  • Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

    Mulligatawny Soup
    Elise Bauer

    "For vegetarian mulligatawny soup, use chickpeas instead of chicken and swap in vegetable broth." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

  • Mandu Guk (Korean Dumpling Soup)

    Overhead view of a bowl of beef soup with dumplings.

    Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

    "I provide a way to make a quick beef broth for this soup using brisket or chuck. You can make this even faster by using store-bought beef or chicken broth. To make a vegetarian version, use store-bought vegetable broth with vegetarian dumplings." —Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Stovetop Taco Soup

    Bowl of Stovetop Taco Soup Topped with Avocado Slices, Cotija Cheese, and Cilantro and Surrounded by Bowls of Toppings

    Simply Recipes / Marta Rivera Diaz

    "You can adjust the amount of salt in the spice blend to suit your tastes. For complete control, exclude the salt entirely, then season the assembled soup to taste." —Marta Rivera, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Easy Carrot Soup

    Carrot soup
    Nick Evans

    "I usually serve this soup as a soup-and-salad situation with crackers, toast dippers (recipe below), or bread and butter. You could also serve it with grilled cheese sandwiches, like classic tomato soup." —Nick Evans, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 17 of 22 below

  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

    Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup
    Aaron Hutcherson

    "This recipe calls for a classic mirepoix of carrots, onions, and celery for the vegetable base, but you can make this recipe your own by adding different vegetables, like fennel or cubes of butternut squash." —Aaron Hutcherson, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Easy Hamburger Soup

    A bright blue bowl filled with hamburger soup, ready to eat
    Megan Keno

    "Make this soup your own by adding in some macaroni or other pasta, or give it a spicy kick with a dash of cayenne. You can also turn it into "cheeseburger soup" by stirring in some shredded cheddar cheese at the very end!" —Megan Keno, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Bowl of Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup Garnished with Cilantro, Crema, and Jalapenos Surrounded by Little Bowls with Toppings (Jalapenos, Lime Wedges, Cotija, and Crema)

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    "Look for fire-roasted canned tomatoes for the base, but don’t worry if you can’t find them. Even with regular canned whole tomatoes, your soup will still have plenty of flavor." —Sally Vargas, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Quick Chicken Pho

    A bowl of chicken pho with all the fixings, ready to eat
    Emma Christensen

    "The keys to this streamlined approach include toasting spices and dry sautéing the ginger and green onion, which help to extract flavor fast and poaching the chicken in the broth adds savory depth." —Andrea Nguyen, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 21 of 22 below

  • French Onion Soup

    French Onion Soup

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "The recipe calls for dry vermouth or white wine as well as brandy, which is optional. If you prefer not to use any alcohol, many readers who made the recipe mentioned in the comments that they omit it altogether and it's still delicious." —Elise

  • Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

    Lemon Chicken Chickpea Rice Soup
    Elise Bauer

    "Love the recipes as is but added a half pound of spinach last time I made it. We think it made a great recipe even better." —Stephen Johnson, Simply Recipes Reader

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